Aims and Objectives of IB Guided Research/Extended Essay (IB Full Diploma Program)

     

    Instructors:
    Dr. Haupt
    Ms. Kirk
     

    The purpose of this course is to provide students with the instruction, support, and guidance they need to research, draft, and complete their extended essay, one of the requirements for attaining the IB full diploma.

    In this class, students will receive instruction in:

    Developing and narrowing a research question appropriate to the discipline in which they are submitting the essay
    Locating and evaluating a variety of scholarly sources, both primary and secondary
    Taking notes and developing a preliminary and expanded outline from a variety of sources
    Applying the scholarly methods of the discipline in which the paper is being prepared, including the use and presentation of data, as applicable
    Working effectively with a mentor in the discipline
    Presenting the results of their research to peers and other audiences and in teacher conferences
    Writing an annotated bibliography
    Using documentation styles relevant to the discipline of their paper—MLA and APA Styles—and citing sources parenthetically according to these styles
    Writing an abstract

    Grading Policies: 

    In addition to implementing the MCPS grading policy and departmental policies, teachers in this course will assess students’ work in this class across all stages of the process according to the following procedures:

    Students’ grades in this class will reflect points accumulated in each stage of the process, including points earned in progress reports and progress checks, note-taking, researching, outlining, drafting/composing, presenting, and publishing, among other areas. Students will receive frequent feedback and support in conferences scheduled throughout the stages of the writing process, especially on the framing of the question, selection and incorporation of quotations and supporting details, the nature of the thesis, and the content and divisions of their drafts.

    Students are expected to meet established deadlines and should work with their teachers to adjust deadlines in cases where substantial revision of the research or drafting process needs to occur. Students are expected to work independently, as well, and are reminded that the work they produce should reflect their own, original work with proper attribution of sources and use of documentation styles. Students may not have their work edited by others, including teachers and mentors. The IB Guided Research teachers will point out through individual and group instruction areas that need to be addressed in drafting and revision to help focus students’ attention on areas they can edit independently.